It was announced on May 23 that the Town of Cornwall was awarded $800,000 from the state’s Restore NY Communities Initiative program, a portion of $50 million that was awarded to 50 projects throughout the state. The money will be used for the Main St. hotel project planned by 2 Girls, 1 Boy Holdings LLC and its owner, Keith Perez.
Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement.
“Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities for housing or development is vital to make downtowns thrive,” she said. “Restore New York helps our municipalities plan for the future by catalyzing economic growth and supporting housing, businesses and cultural spaces. We are further unlocking the potential of these sites and communities across New York.”
The program supports municipal revitalization efforts with funds to help remove and reduce blight, reinvigorate communities and generate new residential and economic opportunities statewide. Administered by Empire State Development, it’s designed to help local governments encourage new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing, and putting properties back on the tax rolls to increase the local tax base.
In Cornwall, the funds will transform a long-vacant former car dealership at 317 Main Street into a new, upscale 52-unit boutique hotel with a full-service restaurant and bar in the heart of the town. The project is expected to create 35 new full-time hospitality positions and address a significant shortfall in Orange County lodging options, as determined by a study completed by the Orange County Department of Tourism and Film.
Supervisor Josh Wojehowski issued a statement on the award:
“Earlier today, the Town of Cornwall was awarded $800,000 from the Restore NY program to support 2 Girls, 1 Boy Holdings LLC’s redevelopment of a former blighted auto dealer and gas station at 317 Main Street into a 52-room boutique hotel and restaurant,” he said. “Rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas in Cornwall and throughout the Hudson Valley is key to revitalizing our downtown areas and growing the regional economy. I look forward to working with the property owner, Empire State Development, and all of the partners to bring this important project to fruition in the near future. I want to thank the Governor, our State Legislators, Mid-Hudson REDC, Local Chambers of Commerce and Orange County for their continued support of the Main Street Hotel project.”
The project recently received its final approval from the Cornwall Planning Board.